STALYBRIDGE CELTIC U11,s 0 v 0 CHADDERTON U11,s
Stalybridge win on Pens 6-5
Who said 0-0 draws are boring ? Well this had it all except a goal which Celtic really did deserve.
Stalybridge started the better of the two teams and knocked the ball about with real confidence on a very wet and sticky pitch.
Celtic dominated long spells of the game but could not finish and as the game went on Chadderton started to play some nice football themselves and created a few good chances but James was again on top of his game to keep out the Chadderton attacks.
As the game neared the end Celtic had some excellent possession and pushed on looking for that all important goal but today was one of them days and it wasn’t to be , the referee blew his whistle and it was a PENALTY SHOOT OUT !!!!!!! Very cruel as both teams gave it their all and it's an awful way for young lads to loose a game of football but there can only be one winner.
We chose our 5 penalty kickers , in fact they chose themselves as I asked who wanted to take one and a lot of nervous looking lads stepped back but fortunately 7 lads stepped forward.
Up stepped number 1 Arron Scholes who coolly slotted home to give us the advantage but Chaddy netted to 1-1.
Next up, captain fantastic , Josh who smashed home to give us that all important lead but another cool finish from Chaddy made it all square 2-2.
Brad was next up and a very well taken penalty that beat the keeper but not the post , 2-2 and up stepped Chaddy to net and put the pressure on Celtic 2-3.
Ryan was Celtics fourth penalty taker and made no mistake to put us right back in the game and when Chaddy's number 4 missed it was 3-3 with one kick each left.
Luke was to take the last penalty for us and he side footed into the bottom left corner , if Chaddy miss it was all over but there was no separating these two teams as another well taken kick rattled the net. 4-4 SUDDEN DEATH
Curtis was up next for the blues but unfortunately he shot wide of the post to give Chaddy the chance to win it , but James “The Cat” Plant had other ideas and made a good save to keep us in it.
Ewan took the ball placed it and smashed home to put us back in the driving seat but again Chaddy drew level , it felt like this game was going to go on and on , 5-5!
Robbie was next up and he placed the ball and took a great spot kick to give the keeper no chance at all , 5-4 and once again the CAT proved to good as he saved the Chaddy penalty to send Celtic into the Semi finals of the Division 1 cup.
Man of the Match was George , he was fantastic making some great challenges and some good runs from the back , WELL DONE !
We will now play Glossop in the semi final , the other Semi will be contested by AFC Stanley and Clayton.
Well done boys , you deserved it today , really proud of you all AGAIN !!!!
See you all Wednesday for training 6pm
Ric (Mancini)